The Workplace Revolution on Your High Street

The transformation of high streets through “office-isation” marks a major change in the character and economy of UK town centres. Empty shops are being turned into flexible workspaces, creating hubs for innovation and collaboration. This shift is boosting local prosperity and bringing a new mix of people and activity to high streets.

Why the “Office-isation” Trend Matters

The “office-isation” of the high street answers two pressing local challenges. On one hand, persistent vacancies left by retail’s retreat. On the other, the demand for modern, flexible work settings that help ambitious businesses thrive. When property owners encounter vacant retail spaces, they are presented with an opportunity for transformation. This is a chance to reimagine the traditional high street as a driver of future economic growth.

Landlords are leaning into the opportunity to create something that’s both commercially sound and socially valuable. The shift isn’t just about desks and meeting rooms. Conversely it is about recapturing bustle, footfall, and identity within communities. The reopened doors invite start-ups, independent professionals, creative agencies, and growth-minded firms into the centre, bringing spending power and regular activity that spills into local cafés, shops, and service providers.

Mixed-use developments are rapidly shaping the future of local retail and office space. For a closer look at how this model is powering high street recovery, see Mixed-Use Development: The Solution for High Street Revival

Economic Impact

Repurposed spaces such as Barclays Eagle Labs and B Work Manchester create immediate and sustained economic benefits:

Local business uptick: Co-working populations bring new daily trade to neighbouring retailers, cafes, and service providers, supporting a resilient network.​​

Incubator effect: Startups and innovative SMEs gravitate to these flexible hubs for community, mentorship, and tech-enabled facilities. As a result, clusters with higher rates of business creation, job growth, and investment are thriving and attracting national attention.​

Adaptability for occupiers: The plug-and-play nature of high-quality co-working spaces allows businesses to expand or contract with minimal friction, supporting everything from short-term pilot projects to multi-year scaleups.​

Barclays Eagle Labs

With 30+ locations, Eagle Labs are growing local economies. Unlike traditional banks, these hubs connect founders and startups to expertise, investors, and critical business infrastructure. This model has demonstrated success with regions, such as Manchester, hosting Eagle Labs recording some of the highest densities of high-growth companies outside London. The network’s curated events, partnerships with local authorities, and direct business support function as a “startup catalyst,” differentiating these towns as national innovation centres.​​

The impact is measurable. Eagle Labs’ regional research shows that nearly half of business owners in Scotland anticipate increased turnover, and the majority expect to expand their teams in the coming year. Nationally, founders see these hubs as critical gateways to advice, mentorship, and peer networks. 71% would recommend starting a business owing to the availability of these resources, and only a small minority would discourage it.

B Works Manchester

B Works Manchester serves as a landmark for what modern workspace regeneration can achieve in the heart of a developing city. Moving well beyond simple office provision, B Works utilises hospitality, wellness, and technology to build a sense of community and wellbeing.

B Works' multi-use approach attracts tech, creative, and finance talent. Their wellness features, from gyms to lounges, have improved retention and productivity, reflected in 20% higher occupancy rates than pre-regeneration office buildings. The wider impact is seen in property values: average Manchester rental growth hit 20% last year, and the city’s economy is forecast to expand by £2.9 billion by 2028, powered largely by knowledge industries plugged into workspace hubs like B Works.

The Future of Town Centre Work

The “office-isation” trend marks a structural shift. High streets that embrace flexible workspaces will unlock sustained prosperity, social vibrancy, and urban resilience. The process is self-reinforcing. Workspace brings people, investment, and innovation, which in turn draws further businesses and footfall. For towns across the UK, delivered by commercial specialists and empowered by bold landlords. This is the blueprint for a post-retail, post-pandemic renaissance.

Landlords considering workspace upgrades will find essential fit-out breakdowns and cost benchmarks in The Ultimate Guide to Office Fit-Outs: What to Include (and How Much It Costs in 2025)